Fire-bucket tank



1 April 15 1930. w, F. cNRAN FIRE BUCKET TANK Filed Jan. 13. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V INVENTOR WMM' 71 4M.

ATTORNEY April 15, 1930. w. F. CONRAN FIRE BUCKET TANK Filed Jan. 13. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W 7., INVENTOR A TTORNE Y Patented Apr. 15, 1939 UNITED STATES WILLIAM F. CONRAN, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK FIRE'BUCKET TANK Application filed January 13, 1928.

The general object of the invention is to provide a very serviceable tank and bucket equipment for use in buildings in event of fire.

()ne of the objects is to provide a tank having means for supporting filled buckets in a readily accessible manner. Another object is to provide for automatic replenishment of the tank. Another object is to cause the cover of the tank to be raised or opened automatically when the buckets have been removed or become empty. Another object is to cause the raising or opening of a can-rack cover to actuate a signal. Another object is to cause the inflow of water to the tank to operate a signal. Another object is to provide means :ar float lowered; and

Fig. is an enlarged sectional detail showing the signal operated by inflow of water.

The numeral 2 designates an oblong upright tank supported on short legs 3, the tank being of such proportions as to contain a considerable body of water but to take up comparatively little space in a room.

The tank has an automatic cover 4., which is connected to. the back wall by hinges 5.

Springs 6 (or their equivalent, a weight or weights) tend continually to throw the cover back to a fully open position.

This cover is provided with a series of openings arranged in a row lengthwise of the cover, and in eachopening is supported a bucket 7 which rests by its rim on top of the cover, the buckets depending within the tank. The handles 8 of the buckets are accessible at the upper side of the cover, and the buckets can be lifted freely out of the openings. The

Serial No. 246,620.

buckets in the openings form part of the covering of the tank.

The buckets are to be kept full of water, and the strength of the springs 6 is such that as long as the buckets are in place and contain water the weight overcomes the springs and keeps the cover closed; when, however, the last bucket is removed the cover flies open, the strength of the springs being more than sufiicient to raise the cover. The cover is also raised if the buckets become empty, or nearly empty, as the result of evaporation, the buckets then being raised with the cover. Thus, the relations are such that the springs are overpowered by the weight of the cover and one bucket, full or substantially full, but are effective to raise the cover alone or the cover and the empty buckets.

The raising or opening of the cover is utilized to sound a continuing signal. This signal preferably comprises an electric hell 9, which may be energized by current from a battery 10 contained in a water-tight compartment 11. A suitable circular closer, represented by an arm 12 and contacts 13, closes the bell circuit when the cover is raised. A manual switch, indicated at 14, may be provided for opening the circuit. The electrical details need not be particularly illustrated.

The numeral 15 designates a water supply pipe connected with the water system of the building. This pipe enters through one side of the tank, and its outlet is controlled by a suitable float valve and float 16 near the top of the tank. As long as the water level re- 85 means substantially as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the valve remains closed, but if the level falls as the result of evaporation or dipping water out of the tank, the descent of the float opens the valve and water flows in to restore the level.

A water motor 17 connected in the pipe 15 operates a gong 18 while water is flowing into the tank. .95

An overflow opening is provided above the normal level in the tank, this opening being connected by a pipe 19 with a pipe 20 for conducting away the overflow if the tank should tend to become too fall, A valved drain out- 0 let 21 from the bottom of the tank is also connected with the pipe 20.

Adjacent one of the side walls of the tank there is a heating coil 22 immersed in the water in the tank. This coil is connected by pipes 23 with the steam system or supply of the building. The space occupied by this coil and by the float valve is preferably partially divided off from the main part of the interior of the tank by a perforated plate 24.

In case of fire, the filled buckets are lifted out of the can-rack cover. Vhen the last bucket has been removed the cover flies open, and thereafter, if the fire has not been extinguished the water is dipped out of the tank. As fast as water is removed in this way, the float valve permits Water to enter the tank.

As the result either of the opening of the cover or of the flow of water into the tank, an alarm is sounded serving to notify any one within hearing that there is trouble.

If the water should evaporate out of the buckets the cover will be raised, thereby furnishing a signal in itself that the buckets should be refilled, and also causing a signal to be sounded.

I claim:

1. Fire apparatus comprising a water tank, a hinged cover for said tank having a series of openings in which to support buckets, and means for raising the cover when not held down by buckets with liquid therein.

2. Fire apparatus comprising a water tank from which water is to be bucketed, means for automatically replenishing said tank with water, and signal means operable by the flow of re lenishing Water.

3. 4 ire apparatus comprising a water tank, a hinged cover for said tank having a series of openings in which to support buckets, means for raising the cover when not held down by buckets with liquid therein, and audible signaling means actuated with'the raising of the cover.

\VILLIAM F. CONRAN. 

